Kroger, America’s largest grocery store chain, has partnered with Microsoft to create a pair of hi-tech grocery stores. The stores, which are located in Washington and Ohio, are filled with digital shelf labels and image recognition cameras, and aim to create a retail environment that’s easier for both customers and retail employees to navigate. The two companies also hope to use the digital signage to sell targeted ads based on customer demographics.

Joined: August 5 08, 11:24 amPosts: 22868Location: Thinking of the Children

In my opinion, this is a huge market inefficiency right now.

I may have even stated on here how it's absurd that an app doesn't exist allowing users to create a shopping list easily, import recipes to it, carry it over from week to week, etc. The app would be useful for users because, well, how annoying is it to write down items then go to the store with a piece of paper and have to carry around a pen to cross off each item. (First world problem, but still). Further, it could be useful to large stores like kroger, whole foods, walmart, etc. Because, they could see what their shoppers want and target ads specifically based on those needs. And, those ads are likely going to be in the form of a coupon which the user would be able to immediately use. And, the app should be able to direct users in the store to their items (aisle 16, bay 9 or whatever).

It's one of the areas where it is truly beneficial to both shoppers and retailers and it's insane it does not exist. The kroger app allows users to create a grocery list and lists the aisles for the products which is nice. But, you can't import recipes; there's no targeted ads/coupons/etc; and it's rather unintuitive. That said, i like it when my wife makes the list as it does make shopping easier than a paper list.